Over 50 PTI workers arrested for carrying party flags while demonstrating for Palestine

Lahore: Pakistan police on Friday arrested at least 50 workers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) from various cities for carrying their party’s flag, which is now a crime in the country, during protests to express solidarity with Palestine.

The arrested supporters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan were gathered in the cities of Lahore, Islamabad, Vehari, Multan, and Gujranwala to express solidarity and support for the war-ravaged and besieged Palestinians, the party said.

It is alleged that although different religious parties held pro-Palestinian demonstrations across the country only those carrying PTI flags were rounded up.

The PTI has strongly condemned the use of state machinery and unlawful detention of peaceful protesters in various parts of the country.

A PTI spokesperson expressed his surprise that the citizens are being arrested for their sole crime of supporting the oppressed Palestinians and carrying party flags.

He said that it is the continuation of the state's coercive policy based on political revenge since Khan was ousted from power in April last year.

“Denying the right of peaceful protests to the most popular party is shameful, reprehensible,” he said, lashing out at the authorities for their double standards.

Since the attack on military installations in different parts of the country by the PTI workers in early May in reaction to the arrest of Khan in a corruption case, the party has not been allowed by the military establishment to take part in any political activity.

Over 10,000 PTI workers are reportedly in jail including Imran Khan.

With inputs from PTI